Philly to pay $75,000 to settle suit by woman

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A city official says Philadelphia will pay $75,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a woman who accused a former police lieutenant of assaulting her during a party held on the day of the 2012 Puerto Rican Day parade.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says the settlement was confirmed Friday by city spokesman Mark McDonald.

Police were responding to a disruption at the north Philadelphia street party in September when video showed 39-year-old Aida Guzman being struck in the face and falling to the ground, her face bloodied, before being led away in handcuffs.

Jonathan Josey, a veteran supervisor, was later fired but was acquitted by a municipal judge in February of simple assault. He testified that he thought Guzman had thrown beer on him, and he told her to put down the bottle and then swung in an attempt to knock it from her hand. Guzman has said she didn’t throw any liquid, but she did shoot aerosol string into the crowd. Josey’s attorney said after the verdict that his client would seek reinstatement.

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A disorderly conduct charge against Guzman was withdrawn, and Mayor Michael Nutter later apologized to her, saying he was “appalled,” “’sickened” and “ashamed” after seeing the video.